Adjustable lock joint



Sept. 25 1923.

11,468,659 H. COHEN ADJUSTABLE LOCK JOINT original Filed Aug. 5, 1921 um i ' BY &

@19 2 6am (GA- ha M ATTORNEY HARRY-COHEN, or BROOKLYN,

srernannrs, 7 re ANYVIAY -rron on NEW YORK.

Application filed-August 1e21, Serial T 0 all whom it may concern: v

lie' it known that L HARRY Conan, a citizen of theUnited States, and resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York,' have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Lock Joints, of which the following is specification.

,My present invention relates to adjust able mechanical couplings and more particularly to joints of the type adapted to lock two elements in any of various angular relations'. In one of numerous possible appli- V cations, the invention serves as the connection between an implement,- such as a brush and the operating handle thereof, topermit readily setting the handle in any desired angular relation for most convenient operation under each of the various conditions of use. f

It is an object of the invention to provide an inexpensive, yet reliable lockin" joint of the universal type for effecting a hi '1 ad; justment between two elements in any desired angular relation, 7 "It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of the above type in which the adjustments can be speedily ef fected andwithout possibility of separating the two elements from eaohcther.

Apreferred feature of theinvention consists in the provision of a socl et frame lodging a'ball element, thelatter having a shank extending through a slot inthe base of said frame of a width throughout its length smaller than the diameter of the ball. In

the preferred embodiment, the slot is so arranged that its ends constitute stops to limit the range of displacement of the socket frame from any position'parallel to the base to a position perpendicular thereto,

According to another feature of the invention, the socket, frame is a U-shaped metal stamping. In the preferred embodinient, a sheet metal clamping piece is guided between the legs of the socket frame and means is provided for exerting a gripping action of the socket frame and the clamping plate against opposite sidesof the ball fer any position of adjustment.

In the accompanying drawings inwhich is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of this invention,

Jenn

roan, assrsncii, BY manor AND AS- arenuracrunrne cour er-ins, me, a conroaa- 439,982. -Renewed August 16, 1923.

Fig. 2 is a side view, and;

Fig.3 is a fragmentary view showing the application of the joint or clamp to a hair brush. i

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In the drawings, I have shown a universal joint, generally of the ball and socket type, cpmprising a metal ball member 1 preferably a drop forging rigidly connected to a support plate 2 by a short integral shank 3 extending through an aperture i in the plate and upset thereagainst as at 5.

The socket member casting with the ball preferably ccniprises a socket frame member 6 comprising a piece of substantially flat material bent to U-shape to form a curved base 7 within which the ball is lodged and a pair of parallel sides 8.

In the preferred embodiment, the socket frame is disposed to permit complete freedom of adjustment about the ball so that the axis of the socket member can be set to extend in any direction both in a horizontal andin a vertical plane, while said frame is permanently held against separation frcm the ball. 7 For this purpose, the shank preferably extends through an eioir ited slot 9 in the SOCliSt/fl'fiififi, said slot beng of a Width slightly greater than that of said shank and substantially smaller than the diameter of the ball 1. It wil. be understood that for assembly of these elements, the shanl; 3 of the ball is passed through slot 9 before the ball is attached to the support plate When once this assembly is completed, it is apparent that the socket frame 6, cannot be removed form the ball without destroying the construction.

Clamping means is carried by the socket frame, said means preferably comprising a guide block 10 made from bar steel: and having tongues 11 integral therewith fitting in corresponding slots in the sides 8 of the socket frame 6 and upset thereagainst, said guide block being tapped as at 12 for mounting a threaded rod 13 which may be turned to exert pressure for frictionally holding the ball against the socket member in a manner which will appear more fully hereinafter. it The guide block, itwill be seen also actsas brace to prevent-separation of socket frame sides 8.

7 In the preferred embodiment, a clamping erably, this plate is made from a single metal stamping, and includes a-main portion 16 equal n length to the width'oi' the awe and. fittlngrelatively closely be- I tween the two sides 8, and having a concavity 1'? for snugly iitting a part of ball 1, when the g p ate has tongues 18 bent clowni thereit'roni, overlapping the edges of the side pieces as at 19, thus preventing ateral shitting, cocking or jamming; lreferablygalso the clan'iping plate has integral 'laterai guiding flanges 20 extending along the superficial area or surface otthe sides 8 oi'ithe frame and cutaway as at 21 to the clear the ball 1. r s

The slot 9 extends asymmetrically of the lid frame'having an end 22 which when into contact with shanltB will dispose the axis of the rod 13 in a position parallel to the support plate 2, thus serving as a stop to prevent. contact of the sockct'itraine or attached parts with said plate. Preferl;ly,'the other end 23 of the slot 9 is so QllSpUFiQ-Ii, that when brought into contact with the ball shank 3, the socket frame will extend at right angles to the plane of the supportplate. Thus, the slot in the pre ierred embodiment limits the displacement or the'axis of the socket through a range or degrees from horizontal to vertical, a ough obviously by lengthenlng or short enine' the slot, the range may be, increased i uccrezused. it is, of course, clear that socket member may be shifted about the tical plane, so that the socket member may d sted to extend in any direction in space, i e

the vertical axis to dispose it in the desired vertical plane and then elevated to move slot with respect to the shank, until the desired elevation has been reached. The joint thereupon locked by rotating the rod 13 to feed it forwardly through the guide block 10 to force the clamping plate 14. against the ball and concurrently to force the socket frame 6 upwardly with respect to the threaded rod to ellect gripping engagement thereof with the ball 1. Thus, the ball will tightly clamped between the edges of slot S) in the base of thesocket frame andthe concave surface 17 of the :clamping plate, and the clamp will be firmstantial wearing action upon the balland parts that grip the same, since said device is locked. At its ends, the

pon avertical axis, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, to extend iii any vering preferably first shifted. about elements 7 are locked by simple and direct ressure without the rubbin orlslidin on: i

gagement which would take place where a flattened rod end is "t-ightened 1 directly against the ball without the interposed non-' rotating. clamping plate. It is, "moreover,

'of separation of its constitutent elements; an advantag lacking in ordinaryconstrue-i tions otfthe type in which th'esocket element is applied to therball element after rather ;thaii hoijore the ball has beenseoured to its supportj r .7 in the "preferred embodiment, the universal clamp has been shown applied as the connection between, a ha1r brush 2% of the type used 'l or sweeping fioors and thehandler 25 thereof. in this relation, the support member 2 0i the universal joint is preferably a sheet metal plateQ countersunk as at 26 to elevate the upset end 5 abovethe plane of the plate. The fiat surface of the support is superposed upon the preferably flattop 27 of the brush and secured centrally therek to by screws as at 28, the threaded rod 13 being tisiedin'the base of handle 7 By, 1t=w1ll be seen that'thei handle can be ad usted in any posit on relathis arrangement tive to the brush, both about a vertical axis as suggested by dotted hnes 111'F1gV3and about a horizonta'laxis' as similarly suggest ed in Fig. 2 and then'locked. Thusflvhere a brush with non-adjustable handle could not be operated efilciently or conveniently for sweeping-sharp corners, inclined sur-V raceswails and the like, my adjustable joint renders possible expeditious setting and.

locking of the handle inappropriate posi tion for each of the various conditions of use.

It willbe seen that the brush 24; is in no way modified l'lOlll.SEZLlIClztlti. construction so that my joint connection can be sold as a separate article oi inaiurfacture capable of being applied by the'userin an ordinary brush to render the handle adjustable.

It will, of course, be understood that inyv universal, joint clamp is applicable for the connection ot the handle of any implement, such as a outtnig tool, paniting brusln mop lar adjustment ot'any devicc'inounted on a pedestal, bracket or other support. For inand the like; huloreoventhe invention is not,

stance, the invention is applicableas'the V joint between an electrician audits supporting bracket, pedestal or other support, also to ad ustable display racks and in numerous other relat1ons 1n wlnch' two elements are to be readily setand maintainedin adjusted position. It will be apparentthat the construction is inexpensive, involving merely the ball, drop-forged, the sheet metal socket incense frame, the sheet metal clamping piece, the guide block formed from a metal stamping and the threaded rod. The manufacture and assembly or" the parts is simple and di-' rect and canbeedected by unskilled labor and without the need for special tools.

t will thus be seen that there is herein describedapparatus in which the several features of this invention are embodied, and which apparatus in its action attains the various objects ofthe invention and is Well suited to meet the requirements of practical use.

' ter contained in the above description or As many changes couldbe made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mat shown in the accompanying drawings sh all be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. i

I claim 1. A ball and socket connection for a' handle or the like comprising a U-shaped socket member, formed of substantially fiat material, having a slot through the bend or the U; a member comprising a ball placed within the U and a stem projecting through the slot, said socket member rotarily adjustable relative to said ball member'about said stem as an axis, to dispose the length of said slot in any plane radiating from said stem,

socket member capable of rocking displacement in the plane of said slot; the arms of the U being connected by a member and a screw passing through the latter to secure the ball in adjusted position pressure against the edges of the slot.

2. A ball and socket connection for a handle or the like comprising a U-shaped socket memberjformed of substantially flat material, having a slot throughthe bend of the U; a member comprising a ball placed within the U and a stem projectin through the slot, said socket member rotarily adjustable relative to said ball member about said stem as an axis, to dispose the length of said slot in any plane radiating from said stem, said socket member capable of rocking .Kings and State of New York,

displacement in the plane of said slot; a

locking member for said ball, comprising a threaded stem; an internally threads: guide plate for said stein, positioned near the open dispose the lengthoffsaid slot in any plane. radiating from said stem, said socket mem-' ber capable of rocking displacement in the plane or said slot; a "follower plate slidably mounted wit -n and provided with guides overlapping the arms of the U, and means for exerting pressure upon said plate to force it into contact with the ball.

4:. In a device of the character described, in combination, a Jshaped member formed of substantially flat material, a slot through the bend of the U; a member comprising a ball placed within the U and a stem projecting through the slot, said socket member retarilyadjustable relative to said ball member about said stem as an axis, to dispose the length of said slot in any plane radiating from said stem, said socket member capable of rocking displacement in the plane of saie slot; a spacing member near the ends of and rigidly attached to the arms of the U, spacing member being provided with a central, threaded opening; a threaded stem passing through said opening; follower late be ond the end of said threaded stem aeaoted to'make contact with the ball said follower plate being provided with tongues overlapping the arms of the U, whereby said follower plate is slidably guided along and between the arms of the U.

Signed at New York, in the county of this 1st day of August, A. D. 1921.

HARRY COHEN. 

